Delightful derby ends in draw

By Henry Mhara | May. 20, 2024 | 3 Min read

In truth, the final 1-1 scoreline was probably a fair reflection of the contest after some superb action from both teams, although some stop starts near the end characterised a chaotic finish to the derby.

Caps United . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1

Dynamos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1

A SCRAMBLED 83rd minute equaliser from Ralph Kawondera secured a point for Caps United against Dynamos in an event filled and well-attended Harare Derby at Rufaro Stadium yesterday.

Defender Kelvin Moyo had put DeMbare ahead from the spot after the break on 52nd minute after Junior Bunjira handled inside the box.

But Caps United avoided defeat late on when the former Dynamos midfielder Kawondera put the finishing touch to the ball which had ricocheted off the leg of Ansa Botchway in a crowded box.

Matchday referee Chimeme did not help matters though when he decided to blow his final whistle on 89th minute, causing a lot of confusion and attracting anger from both benches.

Dynamos coach Genesis Mangombe who had his team denied a second goal when Sadney UriKhob was adjudged to be in an offside position when he finished off a rebound after Caps goalkeeper Tonderai Mateyaunga had spilled a Freddy Alick freekick, felt his side had once again been robbed by the match officials.

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"I liked the tempo of the game, and also how both teams played," Mangombe said. "It shows that these two teams are well coached. The two teams have a system, but I'm worried about how we lost concentration in the end. I'm happy that we managed to score even though I thought we scored twice. That rebound, I thought it was a goal. The goalkeeper spills the ball and it was finished off. I thought it was a clear goal. I don't know why it was disallowed, maybe we have to go back and study the laws of the game again. But it is going on and on, and there is nothing I can do to change some of these decisions. But I thought it was a good game and a point against Caps United is good and we appreciate it."

The draw was DeMbare's fifth in a row, leaving Mangombe's side on 12th position with 13 points.

"If you check those draws you will realise most of them were from dubious decisions (by the referees)," Mangombe said. "If you look today, how would you explain that the referee just decided to end the second half when we had played 44 minutes. There was no injury time despite all the delays, the substitutions and everything that was happening. I'm beginning to think that some of these decisions are deliberate."

Caps United coach Lloyd Chitembwe, who was recently fined for calling out match officials said: "I'm a man of very few words these days. I do not want to speak that much, obviously for fear of reprisals. I do not want to ruffle a lot of feathers with the authorities.”

Asked to comment on the pre-mature end to the match, Chitembwe said: "What am I supposed to say? At the end of the day I don't make those decisions. Those kind of decisions have got me into trouble so I shall not speak."

Caps are on sixth position with 17 points, eight behind log leaders Manica Diamonds after 12 rounds of matches.

Both teams went at it from kick off and there was rarely any let-up, with the first half played at a frantic pace for the most part and belonging largely to Caps United in terms of attacking impetus. Kawondera headed wide, while Wayne Makuva and William Manondo made attempts which, however, could not trouble Mapisa in the first half.

DeMbare, who were lucky to finish with 11 men after the returning Shadreck Nyahwa escaped with just a yellow for a crude tackle on Bunjira, had the better chances after the break and deservedly took the lead when Moyo sent Mateyaunga the wrong side from the spot.

Caps rallied from there on, and after the off side flag gave them a lifeline, they pushed for an equaliser.

Bruce Kwangwa's dangerous cross was blocked by Mapisa who was also called to make a good save to block Wayne Makuva’s shot from point blank.

But there is nothing he could do to block Kawondera's effort after his defenders failed to clear the danger as he helped the ball over the line to make sure that the two rivals were even at the end.